During the 2024 presidential campaigns, both candidates presented their economic plans to the American voters. Much of what Mike Pence, still claim to be shocked.
Former VP Pence took to The Wall Street Journal to write an opinion piece questioning Trump’s recent presidential decisions, particularly his economic ones. In the piece, Pence encourages Trump to continue his “targeted tariffs” on China but urges him to consider free trade with allied nations. He specifically mentions Europe and Pacific allies as regions that should be exempt.
Pence also points out that while Elon Musk’s DOGE has made headlines and eliminated several agencies accused of wasteful spending, government expenditure has actually risen by 8.5%. He calls the Liberation Day tariffs the highest tax hikes in American history during peacetime. That framing is telling. Most Republicans have avoided labeling the tariffs tax hikes and pretend Americans are shielded from their effects. Perhaps the most damning statement is when Pence writes, “Economic warning signs are flashing. The first quarter of 2025 marked the second-worst economic start for a presidential istration since Richard Nixon.”
However, before assuming Pence has gone all in as an anti-Trump Republican, the opinion piece reads as more strategic. Pence goes out of his way to also praise Trump for securing the southern border. He describes Trump’s instincts on security and sovereignty as sharp as ever.
Pence’s effort to play both sides appears to be a political ploy. It’s not to appease Trump but to buy time with the MAGA base. He’s likely plotting his future political moves while distancing himself from Trump 2.0’s economic policies. It’s unlikely the two have much mutual respect. Publicly, Trump still hasn’t moved past his 2020 loss to Joe Biden and continues to partially blame Pence for “lacking courage” during the insurrection. What Trump specifically means by that remains an open secret. Still, Pence showed interest in the presidency during the 2024 campaign. If he plans to run again, these are precisely the kinds of subtle moves he should be making at this stage.
For now, despite a declining approval rating across the board, Trump still has a strong base among MAGA ers. Few Republicans are willing to stand up to him as a result. It’s not just Republicans — Amazon reportedly considered adding and marking the Trump tariffs on its platform. However the company appeared to backtrack after the Trump istration labeled the move a “political act.”
During the 2024 campaigns, both Trump and former VP Kamala Harris presented their economic plans. CNN reported that among 23 U.S. Nobel Laureates in Economics, all declared Harris’s plan vastly superior. Experts never expected Trump’s policies to succeed. His former allies — perhaps even some current ones — may simply be waiting for things to collapse before turning on him. It wouldn’t be surprising if that’s exactly what former VP Mike Pence is attempting here.
Published: May 2, 2025 02:29 pm